Our View: A matter of respect

Thursday

Jul 4, 2013 at 7:20 AM

The United States is a curious nation. Many of the original colonists came here to escape where they were rather than because the place to which they were going held so much promise. Cobbled together on the backs of immigrants, the new nation grew in fits and starts. A hodge-podge of castoffs, citizens of this new country were repeatedly told by leaders that this was a special, unique place; a city on a hill that other countries would soon emulate.

The United States is a curious nation. Many of the original colonists came here to escape where they were rather than because the place to which they were going held so much promise. Cobbled together on the backs of immigrants, the new nation grew in fits and starts. A hodge-podge of castoffs, citizens of this new country were repeatedly told by leaders that this was a special, unique place; a city on a hill that other countries would soon emulate.

Today, we live in a nation that is increasingly characterized by the word "cannot" rather than by the word "can." It is a country too often at odds with itself, and although a certain degree of political polarization represents a healthy balance of ideas, the vitriol with which those ideas are presented leaves increasingly less room for dialogue. Therefore, as we celebrate this nation's birthday, we should consider just what it means to be a citizen of the United States.

For example, it means that if we choose to fly the flag as a symbol of our patriotism, we should fly it with respect. That means replacing it when it becomes frayed or damaged, not flying it at night unless it is lit, or in inclement weather, and flying it at half staff only in accordance with the strict guidelines that govern its usage. After all, it is a symbol for which many have died.

But patriotism also means, at its most basic level, adhering to a system of beliefs that respect the individual, even when he or she comes into conflict with the majority. It means being willing to listen to those whose ideas differ from our own and to respect them inasmuch as those ideas are presented in the spirit of constructivism.

This means not vilifying a person simply because of his or her association with a particular group. It means listening, rather than simply pausing between speeches, allowing ourselves to actually hear what ideas are being presented, and weighing the points on the basis of their merits, rather than simply their source.

It means realizing that our congressional leaders represent all of us, regardless of who voted for whom in the last election cycle. Certainly we can disagree on points of process and methodology, but our democratic system is designed to reflect the will of the majority, even as we should seek to protect the rights of those with ideas or viewpoints that differ from our own.

It means respecting the office, even if we disagree with the person who holds that office. Consider the anger directed at President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009 and the absolute hatred that President Barack Obama has faced in the past five years. Is this truly a nation that values its elected officials and believes that they act in the interest of all Americans? If we claim to believe in America, we clearly need to believe in this as well.

Certainly, we can agree to disagree with our leaders; that is one of the privileges of living in what some see as the greatest country on Earth. But with that should come the responsibility to maintain a civil tone, to focus on the issues, and, at the end of the day, to understand that sometimes we must agree to disagree, leaving our disrespect at the door even as we look toward compromise.

In the end, our patriotism must not manifest itself in what divides us, but rather in what unifies us. If we truly care about this nation, we must find more ways to work together rather than against one another.

Respect, we frequently tell our young people, must be earned; it is a precious commodity that is slowly built over time, and that can be stripped away with a single careless or thoughtless act. Here is hoping that with this Fourth of July, we remember to respect both the flag that flies above us, those we have chosen to represent it, and those with whom we share this land, as well.